The nanoBIOSOMA consortium is the logical follow up to the research carried out by two previous networks granted by the Comunidad deMadrid (CM), NANOBIOM (S0505/MAT/0283) and NOBIMATM (S2009MAT1507), formed by groups of this region interested in the development of new biomaterials and bioinspired nanotechnology, using a “bottom-up” approach that allows to explore the potential of assembly, manipulation and modification of the physical and chemical properties of a series of materials amenable for self-assembly at the nanoscale in a controlled manner. This research has allowed the consortium to select a collection of nanoobjects amenable to technological development.

The nanoBIOSOMA consortium will therefore use the technology and materials developed in the previous consortia with the ultimate goal of optimizing the design and production of a catalogue of nanovehicles and nanocontainers specially designed for their integration in biological systems. This general goal will allow the establishment of a technological platform with the capability of producing and optimizing nanoassembled materials designed to be used as cargo of different biological and pharmaceutical compounds. The platform will be ready to offer ad hoc technology to chemical, biological and pharmaceutical companies, some of which have shown interest to be associated to nanoBIOSOMA.

The nanoBIOSOMA consortium maintains the core of the two previous networks, thus keeping the capability of designing, modifying and producing nanocapsides, nanoparticles and microand nanoliposomes, able to contain and be used as cargo for pharmaceuticals, chemical compounds, proteins and genetic material. On the other hand, the nanoBIOSOMA consortium incorporates new members with the ability of introducing strategies and procedures of colloidal and synthetic chemistry, which are indispensable for the proper integration of inorganic, organic and biological materials. The nanoBIOSOMA consortium also incorporates a specialist in metabolic engineering who will provide the ability to assemble and integrate selected elements in nanoobjects produced by bioengineering. Our synthetic approach is grounded on the self-assembly concepts usual in modern nanobiosciences and claims for a maximal performance integrating the methods of molecular biology with organic biochemistry.

Finally, the nanoBIOSOMA consortium will generate a core of groups which without any doubt will attract and integrate in the Scientific community of the region a large network of national and international groups and entities, in particular a number of companies which will provide technology and complementary capabilities that will result in a larger visibility of the scientific results and their applications.